The Atlanta Braves have the best record in the National League at 29-17.
They also have a five-game cushion over the second-ranked team in the NL East, the New York Mets.
They have depth, they have quality, and they have a superstar determined to carry the team to the World Series in Ronald Acuna Jr.
As a result of these circumstances, specialized site FanGraphs has Atlanta as the team with the highest World Championship chances.
2023 World Championship chances (FanGraphs):
ATL 19.8%
TB 11.6%
LAD 11.4%
HOU 9.4%
NYY 6.3%
TEX 5.1%
SD 4.8%
TOR 4.3%
MIN NYM 4.2%
STL PHI 2.9%
MIL 2.8%
SF 1.9%
BAL 1.6%
ARI 1.5%
BOS 1.2%
LAA 1.0%
MIA SEA 0.8%
CLE 0.6%
CHC 0.4%
PIT CWS 0.2%
DET CIN KC OAK COL WSH ~0.0%— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) May 22, 2023
The difference between the Braves’ 19.8-percent chances to win it all and the second-placed team, the Tampa Bay Rays (11.6 percent), is incredible.
There is more than win-loss record to calculate these odds, though.
The Rays have the best record in the majors at 34-14, but they play in, by far, the toughest division in baseball: the AL East.
Every member of the AL East has a positive record, and this works against the Rays’ odds.
Still, the Braves are good and talented enough to merit their ranking and the percentage attached to them.
Acuna is playing at an MVP level, with a league-leading 2.6 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), 11 home runs, and 18 stolen bases.
May isn’t over yet and he is already flirting with 20 steals!
They also have Sean Murphy, Austin Riley, 2022 NL Rookie of the Year Michael Harris II, Marcell Ozuna, Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, and Eddie Rosario in their lineup.
Strikeout master Spencer Strider leads a talented rotation that also boasts Bryce Elder and Charlie Morton.
Kyle Wright and Max Fried are also due back later, in the summer.
All things considered, there might not be a stronger team in the National League than the Braves.
NEXT: Ronald Acuna Jr. Is Chasing Babe Ruth In MLB History
